High School Installs Security Cameras Without Telling Faculty or Students

[Chef Dave]

How's this for a public relations nightmare?

A student run high school newspaper in Massachusetts discovered that their school had spent $12,000 during the previous summer, installing security cameras. The problem is, the school never bothered telling the students or faculty about the installation. The news also came as a complete surprise to the school board.

The cameras were reportedly disguised as "smoke detectors."

Although the teachers' union has supported the use of security cameras, the union is appalled over the fact that the faculty had to learn about this through a student high school newspaper.

I sure wouldn't want to be in the building administrator's shoes.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=51338;_hbguid=de157dea-4981-4462-a0be-c813ead5fa83

[sweetsass]

I don't see what the problem is. Security cameras are installed every day without announcement.

[Chef Dave]

I don't see what the problem is. Security cameras are installed every day without announcement.

One would hope that the faculty would be on the same page with administration. It's also unusual for a school board to be unaware of a $12,000 expenditure.

[sweetsass]

One would hope that the faculty would be on the same page with administration. It's also unusual for a school board to be unaware of a $12,000 expenditure.

I suppose we're just products of different systems.

In LA Unified School District, the faculty is usually not even in the same book as the administration, much less the same page.

Our school installed security cameras in November, and the way we and the students found out about it was to look up.

Everything else in life is on camera nowadays, which is why I don't care.

[busbus]

Cheryl Turgel, president of the Newton Teachers Association, said the union has supported security cameras in the past, but teachers should not have learned about them from the student newspaper. (from the article)

I agree with Ms. Turgel, the teachers should have been informed. Why keep it a secret and tell everyone that they are smoke detectors?

Superintendent Jeffrey Young says the cameras were placed outside locker rooms and bathrooms, where officials noted several thefts of student property. (from the article)

This is a valid reason for the installation. However, I still would want to have been informed!

In my area, traffic cameras are being installed at high accident intersections. The installation of when and where is highly advertised. The drivers using these roads know where the cameras are being placed and why they are being placed. No secret - This is what we are going to do! This is why we are doing it! And, this is when we are doing it!